HELENA — This week’s One Class at a Time recipient is Rossiter Elementary School kindergarten teacher Ricki Thompson.
Thompson is helping her young students better understand math principles so they can succeed in the future.
Members of First Interstate Bank were joined by KXLH to surprise her at Rossiter with a $250 check.
The money from the grant will be used to purchase “Math Stackers,” an education tool for teachers than students view as toys. The math manipulatives allow students to both see and feel how 6 plus 4 equals 10.
Thompson says building math skills at a young age can have a big impact on their future grades.
“It will really help with their hands-on activities,” said Thompson. “A lot of students learn by playing and using hand-based materials. It will just give them another option to use here in the classroom.”
Thompson said she’s grateful for the support, adding the One Class at a Time program has been a huge help for her classroom.
For more than a decade, First Interstate Bank and MTN have partnered for the One Class at a Time grant. The mission of the grant is to foster educational opportunities for local teachers and students.
A panel of retired teachers and school officials select the grant recipients from a pool of submitted applications.
For more information about One Class at a Time, including how to apply, visit here.
